PhD Candidate / PhD Candidate

PhD Position to Study Epigenomic Diversity and Altitude Adaptation in Arabis alpina

100%, Zurich, fixed-term

The Plant Ecological Genetics (PEG) group at the Institute of Integrative Biology, led by Prof. Alex Widmer, studies plant ecology, genetics, and evolution to investigate the biodiversity of plants and fungi. The group consists of several research teams working on diverse topics such as altitude adaptation genomics, plant physiology, herbariomics of historical plant specimens, and genetic diversity monitoring in various plant and fungal species. All teams interact regularly and engage in collaborative projects and field experiments.

From August 2026, Dr. Thanvi Srikant will join the group as an Ambizione Fellow (grant awarded by the Swiss National Science Foundation) to establish her independent research team, the "Epigenome Diversity Lab," within the PEG group. She will explore epigenomic signatures associated with high-altitude adaptation in the alpine plant Arabis alpina and is seeking a motivated PhD student to join her team.

Project Background

High altitudes generally present challenges such as reduced atmospheric pressure, lowered temperatures, increased radiation, and extended periods of snow coverage. How do plants that thrive in these conditions adapt to their environments?

Epigenomic features, such as DNA methylation and chromatin modifications, can significantly influence gene expression without altering the genetic code, providing sessile plants with the flexibility to respond to changing environmental conditions. By studying epigenomic landscapes across and within plant species, we aim to understand how plants adjust their gene regulation and adapt to their local habitats.

The Epigenome Diversity Lab will focus on the alpine plant Arabis alpina, which inhabits various ecological niches and altitudes ranging from 500 to 2900 meters above sea level. This plant species is notably abundant in the Swiss Alps. The lab's research will emphasize:

• Characterizing genomic, epigenomic, and transcriptomic variation in natural populations of Arabis alpina at different altitudes
• Investigating the association between epigenomic features and local environments
• Assessing the stability of epigenomic features across various growth conditions and generations

For more information about epigenomes, Arabis alpina, and Thanvi's academic background, please visit the Epigenome Diversity Lab website.

Job Description

We are looking for a PhD candidate to work on the project "Functional Epigenomics of High-Altitude Adaptation in Arabis alpina", starting in August 2026. The successful candidate will be supervised by Dr. Thanvi Srikant and Prof. Alex Widmer. The position will be fully funded until the completion of the student's PhD thesis.

The PhD program at D-USYS (Department of Environmental Systems Science), ETH Zurich typically spans three to four years on average. PhD students are expected to conduct research, study, and undertake a limited amount of teaching duties.

We seek a candidate who is:

• Enthusiastic about learning new skills and techniques
• Motivated to independently read literature and generate testable hypotheses
• Diligent in documenting both laboratory work and bioinformatic tasks
• Open-minded and willing to learn from mistakes while maintaining high scientific rigor and integrity

The student's start date is flexible, with the earliest possible date on August 1, 2026, and the latest by October 1, 2026.

Profile

We highly encourage candidates with the following skills to apply:

• Background in Plant Biology / General Biology
• Fluency in English
• Experience with bioinformatics (analyzing genomic data) using R, Bash, or Python
• Experience with molecular biology experiments
• Good organizational skills

Workplace

The student will benefit from state-of-the-art lab facilities, including access to the Genetic Diversity Centre, which provides various equipment for high-throughput sequencing library preparation, as well as plant growth chambers and greenhouse facilities at the ETH Research Station for Plant Science. Additionally, the opportunity to engage in an interdisciplinary scientific environment at the Institute of Integrative Biology will enhance the research experience.

We Value Diversity and Sustainability

ETH Zurich promotes an inclusive culture that values diversity and nurtures a working and learning environment where the rights and dignity of all staff and students are respected. We are committed to sustainability as a core value and continuously strive toward a climate-neutral future.

Curious? So Are We.

If you are interested, please apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered. We look forward to receiving your materials until January 31, 2026.

• Curriculum Vitae, including names and contact information of 1-2 referees
• Copy of Bachelor's and Master's degree certificates
• A short motivation letter (maximum 1 page) detailing relevant experiences for this PhD position

For inquiries regarding the position, please contact Dr. Thanvi Srikant via email at thanvi.srikant@biol.ethz.ch.

About ETH Zurich

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specializing in science and technology. Renowned for excellence in education, cutting-edge fundamental research, and direct knowledge transfer to society, ETH attracts over 30,000 individuals from more than 120 countries, fostering an environment that encourages independent thinking and inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, we connect globally to develop solutions for today’s and tomorrow’s challenges.